Volunteer Opportunities at Lapham Peak
For each of the past two years, our volunteers have put in over 18,000 hours of time each year at Lapham Peak. It would be great to have you join us. You do not need to be a member of the Friends of Lapham Peak to help with the volunteer work, and we will train you – so no experience needed.
However, we would love to have you join our membership as it will help you stay connected with the events and details that we have planned and going on at the Park. Membership information is here:
https://laphampeakfriends.org/membership/
Scheduled Volunteer Opportunities and Needs!
Work Days: In the Spring and Fall, we have a volunteer work-days (mornings) on a Saturday (this past spring, it was April 26, 2025 and in the fall it will be Oct 25, 2025); it’s usually from 9am until noon. We sometimes need additional events and those are scheduled as the needs arise. If you are a member of the Friends of Lapham Peak, you should get our Newsletter that will communicate these events and the work we will be doing (you can find these newsletters on our website too). Here’s the newsletter that talked about this Spring’s event:
https://laphampeakfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FLP-Newsletter-April-2025-final.pdf
Feel the Burn: In the Summer, we have a 5K run that raises money for the Habitat Restoration work we do, especially burning our prairies. In 2025, it's on June 21st. This event is called, “Feel the Burn” and we need lots of volunteers (or runners/walkers) to help us manage this event. (Kris M or Nicole D can connect you with a role for that event!)
https://laphampeakfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FLP-Newsletter-April-2025-final.pdf
https://laphampeakfriends.org/feeltheburn/
Colorama: On the first weekend in October, we hold our Colorama run/walk (we do not throw paint at the runners, rather this is a beautiful time of the year with the colors in the park providing a wonderful event). In 2025, it will be on Oct 4th. This run/walk also needs lots of volunteers (or runners/walkers) to help us raise money for our Park's projects (Jon J, or Rita K or Kris M can connect you with a role for that event).
https://laphampeakfriends.org/colorama/
Fright Hike: In mid to late October, we hold a two-day event, called Fright Hike! This is massive, and is limited to about 2,000 people each night. It usually sells out. In 2025, it will be held on Oct 18 & 19. The event takes a lot of work (easy work) to help set things up along a mile long stretch of trails that are transformed into “Fright Hike”. Work is needed not only on those two dates, but in the week leading up to it, and the few days after it (set up, tear down, clean up). This major event raises money for our Park’s projects, especially Habitat Restoration and Snowmaking). This effort needs the most volunteers, and every little bit helps. Angie M can connect you with a role for this event!
Candlelight Hike: On the last Saturday each January, we have a Candlelight Hike at 6pm, and that needs volunteers! (Information from the Jan 2025 event is below)
https://laphampeakfriends.org/2025candlelight-hike/
Butterfly Garden: All Summer-long, we need help in our Butterfly Garden, tending to it, planting, weeding, watering, maintaining the paths. See Rita to get connected to when that work is happening
https://laphampeakfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FLP-Newsletter-April-2025-final.pdf
Hausmann Nature Center: All Spring and Summer on the weekends, our Hausmann Nature Center is open, and we need hosts and helpers for these days and the hours that it is open (usually 10am – 4); here’s the dates and times, and Melissa J can connect you with a role (and show you the ropes):
https://laphampeakfriends.org/hausmann-event-calendar/
Women & Wine: For the second year now in 2025, we will have a wine-tasting fundraising event at our Nature Center, called "Women & Wine in the Woods", and we could use help setting up, cleaning up, and with food and prizes. See Melissa J to get involved:
https://laphampeakfriends.org/events/women-and-wine-in-the-woods-september-25/
Snowmaking: During the winter months, we have a committee that works to understand and manage our snowmaking operations, and a group that makes the snow for the skiers (we have 7 or 8 snow guns). This is fun, and training is provided. We have professionals who drive the grooming machines but we need volunteers to run the snow guns and help with pre- and post-season set up and clean up.
https://www.laphampeaksnowmaking.org/
Lapham Loppet: Usually on the 2nd Saturday morning each January, we have a ski race called the Lapham Loppet, and that needs volunteers to help run it (no skiing is necessary, unless you want to participate too).
https://laphampeakfriends.org/skiing/#loppet
Ski Series: For 7-8 Wednesdays, usually starting with the first Wednesday in January, we hold a Nordic Ski Series (nightly races). We need help with registrations, collecting bibs outside, timing, etc., and there's a banquet at the end of the season, so lots of help is needed. See Kris M to get involved
https://laphampeakfriends.org/skiing/
Habitat Restoration: All year round, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9am until noon each week, a group of volunteers work on Habitat Restoration and related efforts in the woods and prairies. If this time does not work for you, we also do this work on some of the weekends. See this website for how to get involved and for more information on what we do:
https://laphampeakfriends.org/habitat-restoration/
MORE:
Adopt-A-Trail: Maintain a one mile section on the Glacial Drumlin Trail from the Wales Trailhead to the Hwy 18 Ice Age Trail crossing just west of the Hwy 18/83 intersection.
Bluebird monitoring: We have volunteers who monitor and maintain our BlueBird population and their houses.
Provide Food:
- Bake for events - Lapham Loppet, Candlelight Ski/Hike, or Colorama, etc.
- Donate food items - apples, oranges, desserts
For more information, see the webpages and people listed above, or contact John Hillmer, President, Friends of Lapham Peak (JHillmer@gmail.com)